Overview
Background
Kieren McCosker has expertise in tropical beef production. Kieren completed an Agriculture Science - Animal Science degree (University of Queensland) and later a PhD (School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland) deteriming the factors associated with reproductive performance in northern Australia beef cows, otherwise known as the Cash Cow project while working in the Agriculture Division of the Northern Territory Government's Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade. In 2021, Kieren commenced working with the Centre of Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture, Food and Innovation and comes with approximately 20 years of experience investigating production issues across many facets of the northern beef production system and south-east Asia. Some of his current projects examine the impact of shade and paddock infrastructure on calf mortality, and utilising remote technologies to remotely detect key production events, such as calving and associated maternal behaviours.
Availability
- Dr Kieren McCosker is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Agricultural Science, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Member, Australian Association of Animal Sciences, Australian Association of Animal Sciences
Works
Search Professor Kieren McCosker’s works on UQ eSpace
2019
Conference Publication
Effect of Phosphorus supplementation on female reproductive performance in phosphorus deficient country in the NT
Schatz, T., McCosker, K. and Thomas, S. (2019). Effect of Phosphorus supplementation on female reproductive performance in phosphorus deficient country in the NT. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Park Ridge, QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council.
2019
Conference Publication
Risk factors of cows associated with plasma inorganic P concentration of calves at weaning
McCosker, K. D. and Schatz, T. (2019). Risk factors of cows associated with plasma inorganic P concentration of calves at weaning. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Brisbane, QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council.
2019
Conference Publication
Finding the ‘Sweet Spot’ for reproductive performance in north Australian beef herds
Cowley, Robyn, McCosker, Kieren D., Pahl, Lester, Smith, Dave, Whish, Giselle, Wooderson, Melissa, Fordyce, Geoffry, Holloway, Christopher, Jenner, Dale and Materne, Christopher (2019). Finding the ‘Sweet Spot’ for reproductive performance in north Australian beef herds. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Brisbane, QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council.
2019
Conference Publication
“Paddock Power”: unlocking the secrets to sustainable and profitable intensification
Walsh, D. and McCosker, K. (2019). “Paddock Power”: unlocking the secrets to sustainable and profitable intensification. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Park Ridge, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.
2019
Conference Publication
The post-weaning performance of calves from cows with and without access to P during pregnancy and lactation
McCosker, K., Quigley, S. P., Nunez, C. N., Bailey-Preston, G. and Wooderson, M. (2019). The post-weaning performance of calves from cows with and without access to P during pregnancy and lactation. Northern Australian Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 19-22 August 2019.
2018
Conference Publication
Phosphorus supplementation of Brahman heifers in phosphorus deficient country in the NT
Schatz, T. and McCosker, K. (2018). Phosphorus supplementation of Brahman heifers in phosphorus deficient country in the NT. Australian Society of Animal Production Conference, Wagga Wagga, NSW Australia, 3 July 2018.
2018
Other Outputs
Target dry season weight gains for weaner heifers
Poppi, Dennis, Silva, Tiago, Quigley, Simon, Kidd, Lisa, Anderson, Stephen, McCosker, Kieren, Mohr-Bell, Rebecca and Schatz, Tim (2018). Target dry season weight gains for weaner heifers. Final Report North Sydney, NSW, Australia: Meat and Livestock Australia.
2017
Journal Article
Cattle phenotypes can disguise their maternal ancestry
Srirattana, Kanokwan, McCosker, Kieren, Schatz, Tim and St. John, Justin C. (2017). Cattle phenotypes can disguise their maternal ancestry. BMC Genetics, 18 (1) 59, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/s12863-017-0523-5
2017
Other Outputs
Development of candidate management interventions to reduce calf wastage in beef herds in northern Australia
McGowan, Michael, Fordyce, Geoffry, Smith, Dave, McCosker, Kieren, Barnes, Tamsin, Hegardy, Roger, McNeil, David, Perksins, Nigel and Miller, Joe (2017). Development of candidate management interventions to reduce calf wastage in beef herds in northern Australia. North Sydney, NSW, Australia: Meat and Livestock Australia Limited.
2016
Other Outputs
Risk factors affecting the reproductive outcome of beef breeding herds in North Australia
McCosker, Kieren (2016). Risk factors affecting the reproductive outcome of beef breeding herds in North Australia. PhD Thesis, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2017.44
2016
Conference Publication
Effect of Phosphorus supplementation on the growth and fertility of Brahman heifers grazing Phosphorus deficient country in the NT
Schatz, Tim and McCosker, Kieren (2016). Effect of Phosphorus supplementation on the growth and fertility of Brahman heifers grazing Phosphorus deficient country in the NT. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia, 15-18 August 2016. Gympie, QLD, Australia: North Australia Beef Resaerch Council.
2016
Conference Publication
Bopriva as an alternative to spaying cattle in northern Australia
Schatz, Tim, Taylor, Lee, Letchford, Peter and McCosker, Kieren (2016). Bopriva as an alternative to spaying cattle in northern Australia. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD Australia, 15-18 August 2016. Gympie, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.
2016
Conference Publication
Changes in liveweight of cows after relocation to NT floodplain
McCosker, K. D. (2016). Changes in liveweight of cows after relocation to NT floodplain. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD Australia, 15-18 August 2016. Gympie, QLD Australia:
2016
Conference Publication
High prevalence of low body condition of north Australian cows
Smith, David, McCosker, Kieren, Fordyce, Geoff and McGowan, Michael (2016). High prevalence of low body condition of north Australian cows. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD Australia, 15-18 August 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
No production response of injectable trace minerals in young cattle grazing pasture based systems in the Northern Territory
McCosker, K. D. , Cowley, T. and Lemcke, B. (2016). No production response of injectable trace minerals in young cattle grazing pasture based systems in the Northern Territory. 31st Biennial Conference of the Australian Society of Animal Production., Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5–7 July 2016. Adelaide, SA, Australia:
2016
Conference Publication
Strategies for replacement heifers in northern Australia: weaning weight
da Silva, T.A.C.C., McCosker, K., Schatz, T., Quigley, S.P., McLennan, S.R. and Poppi, DP (2016). Strategies for replacement heifers in northern Australia: weaning weight. Northern Australia Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia, 21-23 August 2016. Gympie, QLD, Australia: Queensland North Australia Beef Research Council.
2016
Other Outputs
Improving the reproductive performance of cows and performance of fattening cattle in low input systems of Indonesia and northern Australia
Mayberry, Dianne, Cowley, Frances, Cramb, Rob, Poppi, Dennis, Quigley, Simon, McCosker, Kieren and Priyanti, Atien (2016). Improving the reproductive performance of cows and performance of fattening cattle in low input systems of Indonesia and northern Australia. Canberra, ACT Australia: ACIAR.
2014
Conference Publication
Reproductive wastage in extensively-managed beef cattle
Fordyce, Geoffry, McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren and Burns, Brian (2014). Reproductive wastage in extensively-managed beef cattle. WBC 2014: XXVIII World Buiatrics Congress, Cairns, QLD Australia, 27 July-1 August 2014. Saint Leonards, NSW Australia: Australian Veterinary Association.
2014
Other Outputs
Northern Australian beef fertility project: CashCow
McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren, Fordyce, Geoffry, Smith, Dave, O'Rourke, Peter, Perkins, Nigel, Barnes, Tamsin, Marquart, Louise, Morton, John, Newsome, Tom, Menzies, Don, Burns, Brian and Jephcott, Sandi (2014). Northern Australian beef fertility project: CashCow. Final Report North Sydney, NSW, Australia: Meat and Livestock Australia.
2014
Conference Publication
Live weight production in extensively-managed beef breeding herds
Fordyce, Geoffry, McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren and Smith, David (2014). Live weight production in extensively-managed beef breeding herds. 28th World Buiatrics Congress, Cairns, QLD Australia, 27 July - 1 August 2014. Eight Mile Plains, QLD Australia: Australian Veterinary Association.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Kieren McCosker is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing Dairy Pasture Management: Evaluating Warm Season Perennial Species and Grazing Practices on Milk Production and Composition of Lactating Cows
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shane Campbell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding body temperature regulation in grazing cattle and the effects on production
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Gaughan, Dr Angela Lees
-
Doctor Philosophy
The investigation of the use of odour-detection dogs for non-invasive pregnancy diagnosis in cattle
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andres Gambini, Associate Professor Gry Boe-Hansen
-
Doctor Philosophy
Integrating conservation with production in Queensland grazing landscapes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Martine Maron
-
Doctor Philosophy
Effect of Analgesia and Haemostasis on Beef Calves during dehorning in Northern Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alan Tilbrook
-
Doctor Philosophy
Reducing methane emissions and improving profitability in Northern Australian beef
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ben Hayes
Completed supervision
-
2025
Master Philosophy
Ability of on-animal sensors to estimate individual intake of supplements in beef cattle
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarah Meale, Associate Professor Luis Prada e Silva
Media
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